Dog has a pus-filled bump on inner thigh. Is it a bug bite or boil?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to see that Ranger is having a skin problem. External parasite and bug bites can definitely create lesions like this on dogs. Ticks, fleas, spiders, ants, bees, etc could all cause something like this. But having said that, this could just be a pus filled pimple that we call a pustule. This is caused by a staph bacteria that lives on the surface of the skin. It is non contagious to other pets and people. I don't think any additional medicines will be required but monitor the area closely for resolution. Some insect bites can cause a lot of local damage around the bite wound if that's what this is. If this worsens, spreads, or persists, have your veterinarian look at it and advise you. Good luck with Ranger. Hopefully this will just resolve on it's own despite the cause.

If this were my pet I would monitor this first to see if it goes away. It is hard to say if this is a bug bite because of all the hair and no close up to see if there is a small bite wound. You can check it yourself to see if you notice a small hole there, and then you have your answer. However, if you are unsure or can't find a hole, then its ok to wait and monitor this to see if it decreases in size and resolves on its own within the next 1-2 weeks. As long as it isn't causing any discomfort to Phoebe, then I wouldn't rush her in just yet. You can apply a very small amount of Neosporin to the area also. If it does not reduce in size or resolve within 1-2 weeks, then it should be checked by your vet to gather samples from the growth so that it can be properly classified. I hope that things work out well for your pet Phoebe and hopefully this is a nother weird bug bite that will resolve on its own. Best of luck to you both! Take care.

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach. It is very difficult to say what a lump could be without feeling it. My best guess is that this is a sebaceous cyst which is benign. So, yes, you should take him to your vet for an exam. It is not an emergency; just try to get him an appointment in the next week or so. ( https://www.kingsdale.com/sebaceous-cysts-in-dogs ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

It is difficult to tell from the picture but this looks like it may be a spot of local skin infection. This infection, along with the fleas, is likely what is making her so itchy. I would recommend getting Dove on a good oral flea prevention. You may want to also try giving her some benedryl to help stop the itch. If Dove is continuing to bite despite all of this the you will need to take her to the vet to be checked out. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

While insect bites are possible, another common cause of lesions as we see here is a secondary bacterial infection of the skin resulting in papules, crusts, and pustules which can be very itchy. Oftentimes these dogs need a course of antibiotics and either a steroid or a drug called apoquel to get the inflammation/itch under control. Sometimes the itching may be controlled with an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, or cetirizine under the direction of your veterinarian, but oftentimes initially a steroid or stronger medication is required.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. From the pictures, I suspect that what you are seeing is a insect bite or pustule. I would recommend monitoring it for now and if it worsens, becomes much larger or does not go away, I would recommend having the veterinarian recheck Maisy so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. You can apply a spray such as Malacetic conditioning spray to the area, which can be found online and do this twice daily until it resolves. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The area in the picture looks like an area of what I would call excoriation or skin irritation usually seen when a dog scratches an area extensively due to itching. The yellowish area can be a pimple or what we call a pustule (a pimple containing pus). Pimples and pustules are usually raised lesions, extending up from the skin. It's a little difficult making out much detail in the picture. Sometimes damaged areas of skin turn yellowish like that and are usually flat in appearance, not raised up like a pimple/pustule. I hope this helps.